6o [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



Its only habitat is North Carolina, growing in damp situations, 

 with very small roots springing from a bulbous enlargement, 

 which only serve for the absorption of water. The leaf has two 

 lobes placed at right angles to each other; from the upper 

 surfaces of both three extremely sensitive filaments project. 

 The margins of the leaf are prolonged into rows of long sharp 

 spikes, and are in such a position when closed as to interlock 

 like the teeth of a rat-trap. If these sensitive filaments are 

 touched by a living insect, which the insect can scarcely avoid 

 if walking over the leaf, the two lobes come together rapidly, 

 and unless the insect is very agile it is caught and crushed 

 between them, and its juices being squeezed out induces the 

 secretion to flow from the numerous glands covering the lobes. 

 The digestion and after absorption is the same process as 

 described for Drosera. Experiments made by Dr. Burden 

 Saunderson have shown that protoplasm exists in the leaves of 

 this plant, the same as in the muscle of animals, and that when a 

 leaf contracts the effects produced are precisely similar to those 

 that occur when muscle contracts. Not merely, then, are the 

 phenomena of digestion in this wonderful plant like those of 

 animals, but the phenomena of contractility agree with those of 

 animals also. There are other carnivorous plants which catch 

 their prey by means of pitchers. The genus Sarracenia con- 

 sists of eight species, all similar in habit, and natives of the 

 Eastern States of North America, growing in bogs, or even in 

 shallow water. The leaves are collected in tufts, springing 

 immediately from the ground. The pitchers are trumpet- 

 shaped, provided with lids, which in some species stand erect, 

 and permit the entrance of rain, while in others the lids being 

 nearly closed prevent the rain from entering. The tissues of 

 the internal surfaces of the pitchers are very beautiful, and 

 wonderfully adapted for capturing insects. Beginning from the 

 upper part there are four surfaces, characterised by different 

 tissues. First, an attractive surface, occupying the inner sur- 

 face of the lid, which, in common with the mouth of the 

 pitcher, is covered with minute honey-secreting glands, and is 



